The Washington Commanders are entering the final stretch of the offseason with a surplus of quarterbacks, and a decision on who stays and who goes will need to be made by August 27, when the team trims its roster to 53 players. With five quarterbacks currently vying for a spot, something has to give — and it’s looking like journeyman Jeff Driskel could be the odd man out.
According to Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, the Commanders should opt to roll into the season with just two quarterbacks: rookie starter Jayden Daniels and veteran backup Marcus Mariota. That leaves Driskel, along with Sam Hartman and Trace McSorley, in a precarious position, as one could be stashed on the practice squad, thanks to the NFL‘s emergency third quarterback rule.
Driskel’s Tough Journey
Driskel, entering his ninth season in the NFL, signed a one-year deal worth $1.125 million with the Commanders back in April. Despite his extensive experience, including stints with eight teams in nine seasons, his performance as a starter has left much to be desired. Driskel has a career record of 1-11 as a starting quarterback, with his lone victory coming in 2018 while starting five games for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kenyon suggests that Driskel’s chances of making the active roster are slim, given the clarity around Washington’s quarterback situation. “Thanks to the emergency third QB rule, Washington doesn’t need to hold a third active quarterback,” Kenyon wrote. “We know Jayden Daniels is the starter, and we know Marcus Mariota is the backup. There’s no competition to settle.”
While Driskel has bounced around the league and gained valuable experience, the Commanders may see more value in keeping a younger, developmental option like Hartman or McSorley on the practice squad, where they could be called up in the event of an injury.
A New Era at Quarterback
For the first time in years, the Commanders find themselves with optimism surrounding their quarterback situation. The excitement is primarily due to Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a stellar 2023 season at LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy, Daniels has continued to impress in Washington, earning the starting job over Mariota during training camp.
His performance has instilled confidence in the coaching staff, potentially making the need for a third quarterback on the active roster less pressing. However, the Commanders’ focus now shifts to ensuring Daniels remains well-protected — particularly at left tackle, where rookie Brandon Coleman and veteran Cornelius Lucas are locked in a battle for the starting job.
Coleman, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound behemoth, was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft after earning All-Big 12 honors at TCU. Lucas, a seasoned pro, offers a steady presence and valuable experience.
.@jeffdriskel's first NFL TD pass is a 28 yard strike to @boutdat_23!#CLEvsCIN #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/EUthLXCEFT
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 25, 2018
Looking Ahead
The Commanders open the regular season on September 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and by that point, they’ll have made their decision on the quarterback situation. While Daniels and Mariota are set, the fate of Driskel, Hartman, and McSorley will be decided in the coming days.
For Driskel, this could be another chapter in a long, winding NFL career — or potentially the end of the road with yet another team. Whatever happens, the Commanders’ quarterback room has a clear leader in Jayden Daniels, and all eyes will be on him as the franchise enters a new era with renewed hope.
